"UNWANTED TENANT"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21912, 22 September 1934, Page 13

"UNWANTED TENANT"

OCCUPATION OF HOUSE

UNEMPLOYED MAN'S PLEA

ONE MONTH'S IMPRISONMENT

Described by Senior-Detective Hall as "the case of the. unwanted tenant," an unemployed man, Walter Woods, again appeared in the Police Court, before 31r. W. R. McKean, S.M., yesterday, on a charge of being found unlawfully on premises at 9 Reimers Avenue, Sandringham, on September 11. When he appeared before the Court last week, it was stated that the defendant, a married man with two children, had gone into the house, which was empty, without the knowledge of the owner, the State Advances Department. The case was then adjourned by the magistrate for a week to give the defendant an opportunity of vacating the premises.

]n making his appearance yesterday, the defendant said he had been unable to get. another house because of the publicity that had been given to the case. He had tried to get work to give security to his family, but had been unable to do so.

In reply to Senior-Detective Hall, ho denied that he had been offered work at the Hobsonvillo air base and had refused to accept it. Defendant submitted that he had a moral and a legal right to occupy the house. Quoting at length from Halsbury's "Laws of England," he submitted that his action was justified as. his children were in danger of starvation and he had remained in the house for the preservation of life.

The Magistrate: It is obvious that you do not know the proper meaning of Halsbury. The magistrate added that he had adjourned the case to see if the defendant would do something. The Defendant: The matter is still in the hands of Mr. Coates. The Magistrate: If it is in the hands of the Government they can deal with it.

Defendant was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, the issue of the warrant to be delayed for seven days. The Magistrate: You do not appreciate the real position.

The Defendant: Whatever the position is, sir, it is not my fault.